Welcome to a brand new sequence on The Wandering Lens wherein I interview fellow photographers from world wide about their work, their inspirations, suggestions and the tales behind their favorite pictures.
First up is Agata, a photographer who caught my eye on Instagram together with her beautiful drone work over snow lined landscapes. Take a peek at this reel on Instagram and also you’ll see what I imply!
The Interview
Photographer Identify: Agata Wozniak-Kwasniewska
Web site: https://www.awkphotography.com
Instagram: @agatawk_photo
1. What’s it concerning the mountain landscapes that evokes your images, and the way do you are feeling it influences your inventive imaginative and prescient?
Mountain landscapes are majestic and galvanizing, providing a palette of textures, colors, and light-weight which can be each a problem and a delight to seize by way of images. The rugged peaks, serene valleys, and dramatic skies are an integral part of the image. These parts have their very own character in every body. What evokes me probably the most about these landscapes is the sense of scale and the reminder of the pure world’s magnificence. Mountains evoke a way of marvel and problem me to specific not simply what I see, however what I really feel of their presence.
This inspiration deeply influences my inventive imaginative and prescient by pushing me to hunt out distinctive views and moments that actually seize the essence of the mountain surroundings. I discover myself continuously exploring the play between gentle and shadow, the textures of the rock and vegetation, and the best way climate and seasons dramatically alter the temper of the panorama.
Furthermore, mountain landscapes encourage me to experiment with varied strategies, from lengthy exposures to seize the motion of clouds or water, to focus stacking to make sure each element from the foreground to the distant peaks is sharp. This surroundings challenges me mentally and bodily and pushes me to enhance my technical expertise whereas nurturing a deeper reference to nature.
In essence, mountain landscapes encourage my images by providing one thing that’s each intimidating and welcoming. They affect my inventive imaginative and prescient by driving me to not solely seize the visible spectacle however to additionally evoke the emotions of awe, solitude, and respect that these wild locations encourage. By means of my lens, I purpose to indicate the deep respect I really feel for the mountains, hoping to encourage others to understand and shield these magnificent landscapes.
2. Are you able to share your favorite location to {photograph} and what makes it particular to you?
My favorite locations embody the French Alps, Senja, and Lofoten in Northern Norway. I lived within the Alps for practically a decade, simply an hour’s drive from some breathtaking spots that grew to become my playground. My love for the realm round Grenoble started throughout a pupil alternate in 2006, and it shortly felt like house. After ending my research, I returned with my rising household. Every time doable, I escaped to the mountains for hikes, images, or just to take pleasure in a meadow brimming with wildflowers. Through the years, I used to be lucky sufficient to discover varied elements of the Alps, holding some locations expensive to my coronary heart. A couple of to say are Vallée de la Clarée, Les Ecrins with its expansive valleys and towering peaks, Belledonne – my favourite spot for capturing sunsets after work, and the wild, comparatively undiscovered Vercors, which I explored extensively in my final years in Grenoble.
In summer time 2022, we relocated to Oslo, Norway, for an amazing job alternative. Curiously, we moved to a rustic we had by no means visited earlier than – an exciting leap. Nevertheless, I used to be already accustomed to Norway’s breathtaking nature. Though I miss the quick proximity to the Alps, Norwegian landscapes supply their very own wild magnificence. Furthermore, Lofoten and Senja are only a 2-hour flight away, locations I’ve solely lately begun to discover. Whereas Lofoten is well-known and sometimes crowded with vacationers in summer time, Senja gives a wilder, much less touristy expertise with its capricious climate and majestic mountains rising straight from the fjords. Regardless of this, my love for Lofoten is so sturdy that I go to yearly. The area’s unpredictable climate, able to biking by way of 4 seasons in a single day, from clear skies to hailstorms to rainbows, presents a problem I eagerly embrace.
3. How do you determine in your inventive focus for a mission or a single {photograph}, and the place do you draw your inspiration from?
Deciding on a inventive focus for a mission or a single {photograph} is certainly difficult. I discover myself impressed by the pure world—its patterns, colors, and formations typically information what I purpose to seize. Earlier than heading out, I totally analysis my location, using instruments like Google Earth to know the sunshine and put together as a lot as doable technically. Nevertheless, as soon as on location, I are likely to immerse myself within the second and sometimes let instinct information me. This method means I generally overlook concerning the pictures I initially deliberate to take…
As for drawing inspiration, I need to admit, Instagram has turn out to be my modern-day ‘Lonely Planet.’ Given my commitments as a full-time worker and a mother or father, it’s probably the most accessible and handy supply of inspiration for me. It gives a fast sneak peek to a world of infinite visible concepts, even when time and tasks restrict my skill to discover.
4. Might you describe a selected images method or method you’ve been exploring lately and what you’ve realized from it?
Round three years in the past, I started experimenting with focus stacking, after beforehand delving into bracketing. Up to now, I might carry an array of filters. Nevertheless, my again finally protested towards the load. Now, I journey lighter, carrying solely the necessities—specifically, ND filters of varied densities and a polarizer. Bracketing has confirmed to be an efficient answer when coping with scenes which have a excessive dynamic vary.
As for drawing inspiration, I need to admit, Instagram has turn out to be my modern-day ‘Lonely Planet.’ Given my commitments as a full-time worker and a mother or father, it’s probably the most accessible and handy supply of inspiration for me. It gives a fast sneak peek to a world of infinite visible concepts, even when time and tasks restrict my skill to discover.
Relating to focus stacking, I’ve grown fairly keen on it. It’s a way that has considerably expanded my inventive choices. Nevertheless, I continuously remind myself of the wonder and artistry present in pictures with a blurry foreground. It’s a reminder that photographs don’t at all times should be pin-sharp from foreground to background. Embracing each sharpness and softness in my images has been a priceless lesson, including depth and selection to my work.
5. What’s your most popular lens to your images work, and why do you select it over others?
Actually, I don’t have a single most popular lens for my images; my alternative varies primarily based on the mission. The 24-70mm lens has at all times been a dependable workhorse for me, however I’ve lately switched to a 24-120mm for its further attain, and I couldn’t be happier with the choice. The additional zoom permits for extra flexibility with out sacrificing picture high quality.
In 2021, I acquired a 100-400mm lens, and it has been a revelation. The flexibility to concentrate on particulars and isolate topics has considerably expanded my inventive prospects—I completely adore it. For wide-angle pictures that seize expansive scenes and dramatic foregrounds, my 14-30mm lens is irreplaceable. Its perspective is crucial for sure landscapes and architectural work.
Nevertheless, once I crave a break from typical views, I flip to my Edge 35 Lensbaby. This lens is a breath of contemporary air, permitting my creative facet to soar. It’s a useful instrument for resetting my inventive mindset, particularly once I discover myself in a photographic rut. Utilizing the Lensbaby encourages me to view the world otherwise, refreshing my imaginative and prescient and method to images.
6. Are you able to share certainly one of your favorite photographs and why you prefer it/why you’re happy with it?
Certainly one of my favourite photographs captures ‘La Tour Percée,’ a secluded marvel nestled within the Chartreuse area of the French Alps. This pure arch is located on personal property, shrouded inside an expansive forest, with none official trails resulting in it. In reality, venturing there’s technically prohibited. But, like many others, I used to be drawn to its thriller and managed to seize certainly one of my most cherished and probably my best images.
The journey to ‘Tour Percée’ was unintended; I had initially got down to seize a dawn from a close-by location however realized I used to be comparatively near this hidden gem. In a second, I made a decision to hunt it out, departing on what turned out to be a hazardous trek. The journey was arduous, involving three hours of navigating steep, treacherous terrain. Really, it was very silly what I did. Nevertheless, the trouble was rewarded once I lastly arrived to search out that I had the whole place to myself. Those that had been there earlier had departed, leaving me in solitude with this wonderful place.
The sensation of getting such a wide ranging scene all to oneself is indescribable. It was not simply the fantastic thing about the ‘La Tour Percée’ that made this picture particular to me, but additionally the reminiscences of the journey and the dangers taken to seize it. The {photograph} is a testomony to the lengths I’m prepared to go for my ardour, and it embodies the essence of exploration and discovery that drives my images.
7. Trying again a number of years, has your images type developed as you’ve continued to discover and {photograph}?
My images type has developed tremendously over time, particularly round 2015, which was a pivotal 12 months for me. This was when my youngest youngster was born, and I took a year-long maternity go away. Throughout this era, I had the chance to really immerse myself in images. I devoted time to studying new strategies and deepening my understanding of Lightroom, which allowed me to reinforce my pictures in methods I hadn’t explored earlier than.
Being on go away additionally gave me the liberty to interact with my ardour for nature. I made it some extent to deliver my digicam with me on each stroll I had with my daughter, capturing the fantastic thing about the on a regular basis moments and the pure world round me. This time of exploration and observe was not nearly bettering my technical expertise but additionally about connecting extra deeply with landscapes I like.
Furthermore, it was throughout this transformative interval that I started working as a household photographer. This new enterprise allowed me to use the talents and views I had developed, additional shaping my type and method. After I look again at it now, I see that my journey by way of images has been profoundly influenced by these experiences, marking a major evolution in my work and artistic expression.
8. What piece of recommendation would you give to photographers trying to seize lovely panorama images?
For photographers aiming to seize beautiful panorama pictures, preparation is vital. Begin by totally researching your location forward of time. Collect as a lot info as you possibly can concerning the space, specializing in geographical options, potential viewpoints, and the way the solar’s path modifications all through the day. Understanding the lighting circumstances is essential; the golden hour (shortly after dawn or earlier than sundown) and the blue hour (simply earlier than dawn and simply after sundown) supply softer, extra forgiving gentle that may dramatically improve your images. Throughout these occasions, even minor errors will be overshadowed by the fantastic thing about the sunshine.
Nevertheless, don’t underestimate the ability of photographing below difficult climate circumstances. Whereas it’s harder, the outcomes can typically be breathtaking. In such situations, composition turns into much more crucial. It’s about discovering steadiness, guiding the viewer’s eye, and taking advantage of what robust climate brings.
Gorgeous gentle could make a major distinction, turning a great picture into a rare one. Nevertheless it’s the mix of preparation, understanding of sunshine, and composition that actually elevates panorama images. And many luck, I’m afraid too.
9. If you happen to’re recommending a location in Norway for photographers to go to, the place would it not be? Think about they’ve by no means been to Norway, and this could be their first glimpse…
Norway stands as a beacon of pure magnificence in Europe, providing breathtaking landscapes at each nook. From my experiences, it seems like each place of this nation holds one thing spectacular. A primary instance is Vestland, famend for its expansive fjords the place mountains majestically rise straight from the waters. This area is a paradise for nature lovers, dotted with numerous waterfalls and beautiful vistas. Like many extra!
Nevertheless, my private favorite is the realm stretching from Lofoten to Tromsø. The attract of Lofoten, with its dramatic mountains, deep fjords, lakes, huge ocean, and untamed wilderness, is unparalleled. The climate right here is as unpredictable as it’s lovely, exhibiting the uncooked drive of nature in its purest kind. It’s a spot the place I discover immense peace, pleasure, and inspiration, not simply in photographing the majestic landscapes but additionally in in search of out the much less trodden paths away from the crowds.
For anybody visiting Norway for the primary time, I might extremely advocate exploring the Lofoten Islands and the islands in the direction of Tromsø. Right here, you’ll expertise the essence of Norway’s pure magnificence. It’s a possibility to immerse your self in landscapes which can be as enchanting as they’re inspiring, providing infinite prospects for photographers to seize the magic of the Norwegian wilderness.
10. Let’s play a bit hypothetical, you’re hoping to seize and doc your preferrred topic or scene…what’s it, and when would you go?
Deciding on a single dream topic or scene is difficult as a result of the checklist of prospects is infinite. Nevertheless, one dream that stands out vividly in my thoughts is capturing the core of the Milky Means. To do that, I’d select a location the place the skies are famously clear and the sunshine air pollution minimal, resembling a desert or maybe on Tenerife in Might. The concept of photographing the Milky Means in such settings has at all times captivated me, particularly after seeing some actually awe-inspiring photographs and studying concerning the experiences of others who’ve finished it. It’s a dream I’d love to show into actuality sooner or later.
11. What’s subsequent for you and are you engaged on any tasks, or portfolio galleries?
The previous two years have been a major problem for me, notably concerning my well being, which sadly restricted my skill to interact totally in outside images. Fortunately, that chapter is closing, and I’m on the mend. With my restoration practically full, I’m impatiently awaiting the second I obtain the all-clear to seize my mountaineering backpack as soon as extra.
My quick plan is to return to the mountains – a spot I contemplate my comfortable place. There, I hope to soak myself within the landscapes that encourage me most and seize the fantastic thing about the pure world by way of my lens. The mountains have at all times been the place I really feel most at peace and creatively alive. Now that I’m nearly able to embark on mountaineering adventures once more, I’m wanting ahead to not solely reconnecting with my ardour for images in my favorite settings but additionally to compiling a portfolio of latest work that displays this renewed section of my journey.
Being within the mountains and behind the digicam once more is what I’m most enthusiastic about. It’s not nearly taking images; it’s about returning to my place, the place I really feel most related to myself and the world round me. This subsequent chapter is one I look ahead to with nice anticipation, able to discover, seize, and share the wonder I discover with renewed power and perspective.
Hiya! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens.
With 17+yrs expertise as an expert journey and panorama photographer, all recommendation discovered on this website is from my private expertise on the street. I hope it’s helpful to your personal travels and would love to listen to within the feedback about your journeys and experiences world wide.